Striped mud turtle
| Striped mud turtle | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Family: | Kinosternidae |
| Genus: | Kinosternon |
| Species: | K. baurii |
| Binomial name | |
| Kinosternon baurii[1] (Garman, 1891)[1] |
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| Synonyms | |
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Cinosternum baurii Garman, 1891 |
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The striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) is a species of turtle endemic to the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Geographic range
Striped mud turtle are found in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.[1]
[edit] Description
They have three light-colored stripes along the length of the smooth carapace. They can grow to 8–12 cm (3-4¾ inches) carapace length.
[edit] Habitat and behavior
Kinosternon baurii is a common species found in freshwater habitats. They wander about on land more than any other mud turtle and can sometimes be observed foraging for food in cow dung.
[edit] Diet
Striped mud turtles are omnivorous. They eat insects, snails, fish, carrion, algae and plants.
[edit] Captivity
As pets they are easy to care for, readily eating commercial turtle foods, feeder fish, worms, or if all else fails, turkey cold cuts. They tend to have ornery yet strangely endearing personalities and enjoy sunning themselves more than other mud turtles.
[edit] Reproduction
They nest from September to June, and the eggs (slightly over an inch long) hatch 13 to 19 weeks later. The hatchlings are about the size of the end of a typical man's thumb and, unlike the adult turtles, have keeled carapaces.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Rhodin 2010, p. 000.96
- Reptile Database
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Alfred A. Knopf, (c)2000 Chanticleer Press, Inc., page 438-9.
- Bibliography
- Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Inverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14). "Turtles of the world, 2010 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status". Chelonian Research Monographs 5. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. http://www.webcitation.org/5uzfktoIh.
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